Single-axis Tracking Research Articles

Modeling and estimation of solar panel tilting angles and orientations in the Gambia: a case study of Brikama, West Coast Region

Propelled by worries about climate change and global warming Photovoltaic panels installation has gain prominence in recent times worldwide due to its affordability and cleaner nature when compared to other renewable energy sources. Many people have switched to solar PV installations as a result of this. A thorough understanding of the orientation and tilt angles of the solar panel in relation to the sun radiation it receives is essential for optimizing the design of any PV system for best performance. In Brikama, West Coast Region of The Gambia, this work ascertains the solar ideal tilt angle and panel orientation. This was accomplished by contrasting the outcomes of the mathematical model with experimental data gathered at the same location and during the same months of the year using a PV module (Model AP-120) made by Astro Power, Inc., Delaware, USA, using a single-axis tracker technology. While the mathematical model approach yielded a tilt angle within the range of 9.10°–22.30° with a mean value of 15.50°, the experimental tilt angles obtained varied from 5.10° to 28.20° with an average angle of 14.80°. According to the generated power study, the solar panel's maximum power was measured at a 30° South angle, and the PV panel's orientation resulted in a mean power gain of 3.6–48.1W. The mean power result indicates that the solar gathering efficiency is better at the ideal tilt angle compared to a horizontal position. To maximize solar energy collection from photovoltaic systems, these findings are vital. PV module systems should be installed carefully since they generate a lot of power when the sun's rays are at a 90° angle, with the PV module pointed directly toward the sun. Solar engineers or workers are advised to install PV panels at a 15° angle facing the south. The method and model described in this study can be used to predict the maximum solar radiation incidence on a PV panel and the ideal tilt angle deployed at another place.

A single-axis tracking interferometer to measure two-dimensional error motions of machine tools and industrial robots

A single-axis tracking interferometer to measure two-dimensional error motions of machine tools and industrial robots

A New Model Designer Of Solar Tracker Based On Wemos Based Real Time Clock Method

Nowadays, electricity is a source of energy that is really needed by humans, almost all aspects of human life require electricity, so electricity has become an indispensable part. One energy that can be used as an alternative is renewable energy such as the sun. Renewable energy has an unlimited supply and is a sustainable solution for the future. Indonesia, a country with a tropical climate, is located near the equator and has a special character caused by the high heat of the sun. PLTS is dependent on the sunlight it receives, so it affects the electrical energy produced. A sun tracking system is designed with a drive using a stepper motor for a single axis and sun tracking based on Real Time Clock (RTC) time which is not affected by cloudy weather. The sun tracker has been designed using the Wemos D1 Mini as a controller, a voltage sensor module to detect the voltage produced by the solar panels. 28BYJ-48 stepper motor with an operating voltage of 5V which has been adapted to the RTC module through the program. The sun tracking system can increase the performance of solar energy absorption compared to static solar systems with a value of 19.91% in a 12 hour test time.

Reliable Dynamic Adoptive Dual Axis Solar Tracking Systems (DASTS) with Increased Efficiency

Traditional solar tracking systems typically depend on sunlight intensity to adjust the orientation of solar panels. However, these systems often neglect dynamic environmental factors such as wind, which can significantly impact the performance and safety of solar panels. The proposed Dynamic Adaptive Solar Tracking System (DASTS) aims to enhance energy capture efficiency and ensure the structural stability of solar panels by incorporating time-based data into its tracking algorithm. Utilizing precise geolocation coordinates and temporal data, the DASTS calculates the sun's position relative to the solar panel array. This system adjusts the panels' orientation in real-time to optimize energy capture. To validate the effectiveness of the DASTS, experimental tests were conducted at various times. The results indicate that the DASTS surpasses traditional fixed-tilt and single-axis tracking systems in terms of energy yield and structural stability. Furthermore, the DASTS demonstrated consistent performance across different geographic locations and seasons, underscoring its versatility and efficacy in maximizing solar energy utilization.

Design and performance characteristics of single-axis tracking dual confocal low-magnification parabolic trough CPV system

With the rapid increase of PV module utilization, the environmental pollution associated with waste photovoltaic (PV) module and its recycling is of concern. This paper proposes a concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system to reduce the use of PV module. The cross-confocal method is employed for the concentrator to eliminate central dark streaks. In optical simulation, a theoretical uniformity index of 0.0466 and a theoretical optical efficiency of 89.87 % were achieved. When the distance between the rotational axis and the center of gravity is less than 125.8 mm, the system can withstand winds of 20.4 m/s. The temperature range of the PV, obtained from finite element analysis, is from 295.71 K to 363.13 K. With the requirements of the relative optical efficiency of over 90 % and the uniformity index of less 0.5, the system has a dimensional translation tolerance of approximately ±10 mm, a dimensional rotation tolerance of about 5°, and a tracking angle tolerance of about 1°. The actual daily average output current of this system has increased by 100.91 %. The ratio between the increase ratio of output current and the theoretical concentration ratio is 83.4 %. The system demonstrates excellent optical performance and system tolerance.

Rotating solar furnace

A rotary solar furnace is conceptually introduced. In contrast to a conventional solar furnace, where the concentrator is fixed, in a rotary solar furnace both the concentrator and the heliostat rotate in concentric circular path around the concentrator's focus such that at each instant of time they face each other. The angular velocity of this motion equals the angular velocity of the Sun's projection line onto the Earth. In this dynamic solar furnace, the Sun appears always right above the heliostat. Consequently, the heliostat needs only a single-axis elevation tracking to redirect the sunlight along the concentrator's optical axis. This implies that the amount of harvested energy is maximal while the focus remains fixed in space. The daily concentrated radiation energy is analytically computed for each day of the year given the geographical latitude. It is shown the daily energy increase percentage crucially depends on the day of year and geographical latitude. This increase percentage reaches it maximum value in the summer solstice, which is slightly above 140 percent, for instance, in Tehran, Iran.

Adaptive control systems for dual axis tracker using clear sky index and output power forecasting based on ML in overcast weather conditions

The use of artificial intelligence in renewable energy systems increases energy generation and improves energy system management. The control system of many solar trackers is designed for maximum radiation power conditions and shows decent performance indicators, but during rapidly changing weather conditions or cloudy days, the performance of the solar trackers is reduced due to moving parts and low irradiance. Some studies show that the horizontal configuration produces more energy with scattered solar radiation than solar tracking systems. This work shows the possibility of using solar tracking systems under different weather conditions and cloudy days. To achieve the goals, a new adaptive control system for dual-axis solar trackers with astronomical tracking was developed, which differs from traditional controls in the use of horizontal configurations under certain weather conditions. The assessment of spatio-temporal weather conditions was carried out using the Clear Sky Index (CSI) and was complemented by forecasting the panel's power output. The study found that at 0.4 CSI values, the horizontal configuration exhibits higher power output than solar tracking systems, providing the potential to use the threshold for adaptive control. The developed system is more efficient by 18.3 %, 14.9 %, and 10.01 % than the horizontal configuration, single-axis, and dual-axis solar trackers.

Understanding Heat Dissipation Factors for Fixed‐Tilt and Single‐Axis Tracked Open‐Rack Photovoltaic Modules: Experimental Insights

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the results of long‐term experiments conducted on fixed‐tilt (FT) and single‐axis tracked (SAT) open‐rack photovoltaic (PV) modules in South Africa. Utilising Faiman's heat dissipation model and data filtering method, the study demonstrates favourable comparisons of FT experimental results with literature while yielding novel heat dissipation factors for SAT modules. Enhanced heat dissipation is observed in no/low wind conditions for SAT modules compared to FT modules. Analyses reveal the influence of plane‐of‐array (POA) irradiance, wind speed and direction on module temperature, with SAT modules exhibiting greater heat dissipation stability. An investigation into data filtering methods suggests minor sensitivity for both configurations, with a slightly more pronounced impact on SAT modules. Assessments comparing module temperature predictions using diverse heat dissipation factors for FT modules reveal negligible sensitivity. This suggests that exact heat dissipation factor values may not be crucial for accurate predictions of module temperature in FT open‐rack systems. Annual power output simulations using PVsyst software demonstrate a 2.9% and 3.3% enhancement for FT and SAT configurations, respectively, when employing experimentally determined heat dissipation factors. These findings highlight the importance of realistic, configuration‐specific heat dissipation factors in optimising PV system performance, particularly in the competitive context of modern PV power plant construction and techno‐economic calculations.

Field measurements of wind load effects in a photovoltaic single-axis tracker mounting rail

The demand for solar photovoltaic power installations has resulted in a highly competitive industry. Equipment suppliers are under pressure to reduce design margins for projects to be feasible. Single-axis trackers are widely used to increase yield and reduce the levelised cost of energy compared to fixed-tilt installations. Load coefficients on tracker arrays are usually quantified using model-scale studies conducted in atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnels. These dynamically sensitive structures have been known to suffer wind damage despite the use of modern design methods. Ongoing research into the support structure design is deemed important to ensure long-term reliability. The current study presents full-scale field data acquired over 109 days on an experimental one-in-portrait single-axis tracker facility located in the Western Cape, South Africa. The purpose of these measurements was to quantify wind load effects in two instrumented PV module mounting rails. Frequency domain data showed modal participation of both the torsional and bending modes of the torque tube. The effect of the bending mode was more pronounced for the rail furthest from a pile. Load coefficients calculated using experimental data were generally lower than those presented in ASCE 7-22. Fluctuating stresses at critical locations led to negligible fatigue damage.

Design and Analysis of the Effect of the Number of Membership Functions on the Accuracy of the Fuzzy Controller in a Sun Tracking System

Purpose: To investigate how the number of rules in the fuzzy controller affects the single-axis solar tracking system's orientation accuracy. Methodology: Design and compare FLC49 and FLC25 controllers, each with different organic rules and functions. To improve the system efficiency by accurately measuring the maximum power point, the controller receives comparison results from the light sensors installed on the solar panels. We study and analyze the controllers, selecting the best one based on the accuracy of the solar panel orientation. Using the FLC output to operate a two-phase SM. Findings: This study developed a sun tracking system using Matlab/Simulink and compared FLC49 and FLC25 controllers. FLC49 performed better in simulations, with lower settling time and overshoot. The number of rules significantly influenced accuracy, and it also showed lower transient ripple magnitudes, accelerating time response. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The research investigates the effectiveness of rules in a fuzzy controller and recommends the optimal number of windings to achieve precision in controlling a stepper motor. The study explores the use of 49-rule and 25-rule fuzzy logic controllers to control a stepper motor based on LDR sensor inputs. The researchers found that while both controllers had similar steady time error and overshoot, they differed in orientation accuracy, with the 49-roll fuzzy controller being more accurate in orientation. This single-axis solar tracking system optimizes solar energy conversion into electricity.

A Model Validatory Approach in Determining Solar Panel Tilting Angles and Orientations at the Brikama Environment of The Gambia

Solar energy demand in The Gambia has got a boost in recent times owning to it cleaner nature and affordability compared to other renewables and by this many people are shifting towards solar PV installation. To optimize the design of any PV system for maximum performance, adequate knowledge of the orientation and tilt angles of the solar panel against the sun radiation received by the solar panel is vital. This paper determines the solar optimal tilt angle and orientation of solar panels in the Brikama environment of The Gambia. This was achieved by comparing a mathematical model results with experimental data collected using a PV module (Model AP-120) manufactured by AstroPower, Inc., Deleware, USA, and single axis tracker technology at the same location and months of the year 2022. The experimental tilt angles obtained range from 29.85-30.14 with an average angle of 29.99 while the mathematical model approach obtained the tilt angle to be 30. By comparing all the values recorded during the experiment, the peak value of power generated by the solar panel was recorded at an angle of 30due South and this proves our techniques in determining the tilted angles with our applied model. The monthly tilt angles of the solar panel, which were averaged from the total months of the year and the average tilt angle in the Brikama environment is 15.5and the solar module should face south during installation for optimization. These results are vital in maximizing solar energy collection from photovoltaic systems.

Performance study of CPV/T systems with different tracking methods

Abstract This article built the model of concentrated photovoltaic and thermal (CPV/T) systems under the double-axis tracking mode in the east, west, south, and north directions, as well as the single-axis tracking mode in the north and south directions. According to this model, the function of the CPV/T system could be researched. The article established 3D models of large-scale CPV/T systems in different tracking modes and used this model to study the occlusion problem of CPV/T systems. Taking into account cosine loss, edge loss, and occlusion, this paper established energy reception models for different trace modes of the CPV/T system. The energy reception model calculated that the annual energy reception rate of the CPV/T system in the single-axis tracking mode was not a patch on the double-axis tracking CPV/T system. Subsequently, a scaled CPV/T total energy mathematical model was established under these two tracking mods in the article. Combined with the non-steady energy model, the annual total photoelectricity and photothermal output of the CPV/T systems in the single-axis tracking mode and the double-axis tracking mode with an area of 1600 m2 in Xi’an were calculated. The photoelectricity and photothermal outputs of the double-axis tracking mode were 169216 kW·h and 856183 kW·h, respectively. The single-axis tracking node had an annual output of 126898 kW·h for photoelectricity and 637490 kW·h for photothermal.

Contour error control for the biaxial system based on active disturbance rejection generalised prediction

ABSTRACT For the purpose of contour error control in two-axis systems, a cross-coupled controller utilising auto-disturbance rejection generalised predictive control and nonlinear proportional differentiation is proposed. The contour error components along each axis are estimated by utilising the information from the nearest reference point and its adjacent reference points. The combination of ADRC and GPC is utilised for uniaxial tracking control. The LESO is utilised for estimating and compensating for the total disturbance of the system while simplifying it into two cascaded integrators. Because GPC is designed only for the series form of the integrator, the dependence on mathematical models is reduced. A nonlinear cross-coupled controller is designed utilising the fal function, with compensation control quantities for each axis directly obtained from their respective contour error components. Finally, the results obtained from the simulation demonstrate that the control strategy can availably enhance the performance of single-axis tracking and contour processing.

Estimation of the solar radiation intensity on photovoltaic surfaces using anisotropic Models, investigation of influence of tilt angles and solar trackers: A case study for the southeastern of Türkiye

The estimation of total solar radiation (TSR) intensity is crucial for the performance, design, and economic assessment of photovoltaic (PV) energy systems operating in different geolocations and climates. Various transposition Models can be utilized in performance calculations for PV systems in the estimation of TSR on tilted and tracked PV surfaces. Solar tracking equipment can be applied to optimize the TSR gathered by solar PV surfaces. In addition, energy gain can be considerably increased with the use of optimally tilted PV surfaces. This study aims to perform a reliable estimation of TSR for fixed and tracked PV surfaces by applying Hay-Davies, Klucher, Reindl, HDKR, and Perez anisotropic transposition Models over a specific period in Şanlıurfa Turkey. This study does not identify the best anisotropic Model, but with a relative cross-comparison, it points out the values of high variability in outputs and disagreements between different Models. The study highlights the potential of using multiple transposition Models to provide more robust estimates for the annual, seasonal, and monthly solar energy gain in desired geolocations. The annual optimal tilt angle (OPTA) for Şanlıurfa province is estimated to be 30°-31°, which is close to the latitude but below the latitude (6°-7°) of the respective geolocation. The monthly OPTA throughout the year is between 3° in July and 64° in December. It is revealed that the loss in annual TSR does not surpass 0.5% due to the 5° offset of the tilt angle from the OPTA of fixed PV surfaces. The gain in annual TSR for a fixed surface compared to a horizontal surface is estimated to be between 6.05% and 8.24%. The gain in annual TSR for a north-south oriented single-axis tracker (the axis of rotation is on the east-west plane) is estimated between 22.03% and 25.68%, whereas for a dual-axis tracker, it is estimated between 31.49% and 36.66%. It is inferred that, compared to a single-axis tracking, a dual-axis tracking can yield approximately 8.84% more energy. In light of this research, it is recommended that the solar energy potential of the Şanlıurfa can be significantly enhanced by installing tracking systems for maximal generation of solar energy. In the absence of a tracking system, the annual OPTA setting of a PV surface can be a typical strategy. On the other hand, this study reveals that some solar parameters involved in anisotropic Models significantly contribute to the quality of the estimation results. The Models presented in this study can be used to accurately estimate TSR on PV surfaces in various implementations in any place of Türkiye and around the world.

Hybrid model for intra-day probabilistic PV power forecast

Renewable generation forecasting has become an essential element of power system management because of the ever-increasing share of renewable power fed into the grid. Solar energy is one of the most common and well-known sources of energy in existing networks. Due to its intermittent and non-linear nature, accurate prediction of solar irradiance is essential for ensuring the reliable integration of photovoltaic (PV) plants with the grid system and for effectively managing supply and demand. The dispatching problem is typically addressed by generating a forecast for a few sample plants and scaling the result of these forecasts by the PV power generation capacity connected to the electric system. This research presents a comprehensive comparison of various methods for predicting PV power generation in fixed and single axis tracking PV systems at two different locations. These methods include time-series statistical regression, parametric physical approaches, machine learning (ML), and ensemble techniques, aimed at intra-day forecasts ranging from 1 to 6 h ahead. The study introduces a novel method for developing a parametric linear model for fixed PV systems and uses model output statistics (MOS) to improve forecast accuracy. Additionally, this study details various optimization algorithms designed to refine model parameters for creating a hybrid model. It also examines key factors influencing PV power forecasts and applies post-processing Kalman filter techniques. The study provides a detailed analysis of deterministic and probabilistic forecasting models, offering not just the most probable power production estimate, but also conveying the associated uncertainty. The results demonstrate a highly skilled ML based hybrid model to forecast PV power for different technologies at two different locations.

Experimental study on the effect of operational and environmental conditions on photovoltaic modules productivity in El-Oued region, algeria

This experimental study aims to track the changes in electrical properties and energy behavior of two technically identical photovoltaic modules of the RAGGIE type (RG-M165W model) under different operating conditions. The first is the reference photovoltaic module, while the second is the targeted photovoltaic module. Both modules were tested under the same climatic conditions in the Algerian region of El-Oued. Numerous practical experiments were conducted to demonstrate the effect of using a solar tracking system (a horizontal single-axis tracking system manually moved from east to west), changing the tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules, and the cleanliness of the effective photovoltaic module area on their productivity. The study results showed a convergence between experimental and theoretical results. The optimal tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules in El-Oued during the study days is 33°, and any inaccurate selection of this angle results in an efficiency loss of 19.31 %. Additionally, manually tracking the solar path improved the photovoltaic module efficiency by 1.63 %. A decrease in energy productivity by 34.68 % was recorded due to dust deposition of 14.5 g.m−2. Economically, it was shown that installing a photovoltaic system consisting of 14 RAGGIE modules can feed a typical Algerian house with 136.6 MWh over 25 years, with a Levelized Cost of Energy of $0.037/kWh, and the CO2 mitigation is 59.15 tons with a saving of $858.

Broad-Spectrum Technical and Economic Assessment of a Solar PV Park: A Case Study in Portugal

While technical optimization focuses on maximizing the annual energy yield of utility-scale PV parks, the ultimate goal for power plant owners is to maximize investment profit. This paper aims to bridge the gap between technical and economic approaches by using simulation data from a real-case utility-scale PV park. It analyzes how changes in configuration parameters such as the DC–AC ratio and string length and PV technologies like solar tracking systems and bifacial modules impact the economic metrics of the project, i.e., net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). PVSyst software was utilized as a simulation tool, while in-house developed software implementing appropriate technical and economic models served as a comparison platform and was used to validate the outputs generated through PVSyst. Results indicate that the commonly used horizontal single-axis tracking configuration may economically underperform compared with fixed-tilt setups. The optimal DC–AC ratio fell within the range of 1.30 to 1.35. Extending the string length from 25 to 28 modules improved economic indexes. Additionally, fixed-tilt bifacial modules can enhance project economics if a 10% cost premium compared with standard monofacial PV modules is considered.

Suntrack Weather: Real Time Solar Power Weather Update

The need for efficient solar energy utilization has become increasingly evident in the face of climate change and growing energy demands. This led to the recognition of the problem of suboptimal energy capture in fixed solar panels. Through extensive research and observations, it was identified that conventional fixed solar panels do not fully harness the available solar energy due to the sun's changing position throughout the day. This realization prompted the exploration of advanced tracking systems to improve energy capture. How the Problem was identified: In addressing the challenge of maximizing solar energy capture, various solar tracking technologies have been developed. Single-axis trackers are among the initial solutions, adjusting panels on a horizontal axis to follow the sun's east-west movement. However, these systems fail to account for the sun's changing altitude throughout the day. Dual-axis solar tracking systems emerged as a more advanced solution, capable of continuously aligning solar panels in both the horizontal and vertical planes. These systems employ an array of sensors, microcontrollers, and actuators to precisely track the sun's position, thereby significantly enhancing energy output. KEYWORDS: Sun-track weather, Real-time, Solar power, Weather update, Sun tracking technology.

3D View Factor Power Output Modelling of Bifacial Fixed, Single, and Dual-Axis Agrivoltaic Systems

This study investigates the performance of agrivoltaic systems employing bifacial photovoltaic modules. A comparison between yield in Sweden and Italy was carried out. Three agrivoltaic system designs were evaluated: vertical fixed, single-axis tracker, and dual-axis tracker. The results showed that the specific production varied between 1090 to 1440 kWh/kWp/yr in Sweden and 1584 to 2112 kWh/kWp/yr in Italy, where the lowest production was obtained with the vertical fixed agrivoltaic system while the highest production was obtained with the dual-axis tracking agrivoltaic system. The vertical fixed design had a higher electricity production during low solar elevation angles, while the single-axis and dual-axis tracking designs had significantly higher power production during mid-day. The electricity production gain using a dual-axis tracker design was mostly during mid-day, but the increase compared to the single-axis tracker was only 1-2%. The study concludes that low-height, fixed agrivoltaic systems without tracking are well-suited for high-latitude countries like Sweden, while elevated systems with tracker solutions are more suitable for locations like Italy. The findings suggest that the performance of agrivoltaic systems with bifacial photovoltaic modules is highly dependent on geographical location and the specific characteristics of the crops grown beneath them.

Influence of the Albedo on Agrivoltaics Electricity Production

This paper aims to quantify to what extent the electricity production of two types of agrivoltaics installations (fixed vertical bifacial and horizontal single axis tracker) is affected by the installation of different ground cloths. In order to assess the potential benefits of the use of these cloths, a series of ray-tracing simulations and an extensive measurement campaign were conducted. For the fixed vertical bifacial system, the simulations showed that the white ground cloth should result in an average increase in incident irradiance of about 8% for simulated periods occurring in both March (+8.2%) and June (+7.3%). However, measurements on the vertical bifacial setup over a period of 5.5 months indicated that no measurable differences occurred between the different ground covers. Measurements on the tracker setup did show a clear measurable difference with an average increase of 25% in cumulative rear incident irradiance, also resulting in an increase in revenues, for the tracker with the white ground cloth compared to the reference tracker.